The Benalla Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of paintings from the Cbus Super Collection. It is interesting to reflect that one of the largest Trade Unions has made the pragmatic decision to have its Superannuation Scheme invest in Australian Art and our gallery is benefiting from this decision. This exhibition attempts to show the development of colour and movement in Australian paintings.
The U3A Art Appreciation Group listened with rapt attention to Bryony Nainby give an interesting review of some of the paintings on display. Examples from late colonial through to early Impressionism through to early attempts at Cubism were discussed. In recognition of International Women’s day Bryony also compared the development of some paintings done by women - some from Benalla’s own collection and some from the Cbus collection. Bryony left the review of some of the CBus paintings until a later date.
This exhibition is well worth viewing and is recommended.
There are two standout paintings.
One by Nolan from his early riverbank period and titled “River”, shows a woman recently removed from her horse when crossing a river with a naked Ned Kelly watching from up in a tree.
The real standout of the exhibition is a Tom Roberts painting titled “Portrait of a Young Girl”. This portrait of a young girl can only be described as a beautiful painting. This shows just how good an artist Roberts was. It is difficult to understand why this painting is not included in the retrospective currently on display in our nation’s National Gallery in Canberra.
In the other rooms in the Gallery there are two excellent Tuckers from the Gallery’s own collection on show. There are also several very interesting Nolan prints displaying examples of his Kelly paintings.
There is also on view a very modern looking installation in the shape of a cube titled “No Entry-Staff Only”.
Neville Gibb
The U3A Art Appreciation Group listened with rapt attention to Bryony Nainby give an interesting review of some of the paintings on display. Examples from late colonial through to early Impressionism through to early attempts at Cubism were discussed. In recognition of International Women’s day Bryony also compared the development of some paintings done by women - some from Benalla’s own collection and some from the Cbus collection. Bryony left the review of some of the CBus paintings until a later date.
This exhibition is well worth viewing and is recommended.
There are two standout paintings.
One by Nolan from his early riverbank period and titled “River”, shows a woman recently removed from her horse when crossing a river with a naked Ned Kelly watching from up in a tree.
The real standout of the exhibition is a Tom Roberts painting titled “Portrait of a Young Girl”. This portrait of a young girl can only be described as a beautiful painting. This shows just how good an artist Roberts was. It is difficult to understand why this painting is not included in the retrospective currently on display in our nation’s National Gallery in Canberra.
In the other rooms in the Gallery there are two excellent Tuckers from the Gallery’s own collection on show. There are also several very interesting Nolan prints displaying examples of his Kelly paintings.
There is also on view a very modern looking installation in the shape of a cube titled “No Entry-Staff Only”.
Neville Gibb
